We proudly present on this CD the world premiere release
of Piero Piccioni´s complete score for the 1960 romantic
drama I dolci inganni which was directed by Alberto Lattuada
and starred by Catherine Spaak, Christian Marquand and
Jean Sorel.
The musical commentary for I dolci inganni was provided
by Piero Piccioni, who since the mid-50s had established
himself as one of the most important younger Italian film composers. For I dolci inganni Piccioni wrote an
extraordinary and highly evocative score which even today sounds totally refreshing and unorthodox. The
long, very unusual opening sequence with a duration of almost four minutes is filmed in just one single shot
which shows Francesca waking up from an erotic dream full of anxiety and caressing her body through her
nightgown. The underscoring is unusual as well: Piccioni uses only a few instruments – electric guitar, organ
and brushed drums – to introduce the marvellous main theme which is a longlined sinuous melody so typical
of the composer´s style and immediately haunts the listener with its beauty. The mood of the complete score is
jazz-based, but what we hear for the most part is seductive, melodic and nostalgic jazz. Particular care has
been taken of the orchestrations which are always colourful as well as delicate and change according to the
mood of the situations and the sequences. During the long recording sessions Piccioni had recorded quite a lot
of alternate takes of the tracks which can be heard in our regular score program and we have attached many
of them as bonus tracks.
Our CD with the delightful score for I dolci inganni is a real testimony to the versatile talent and exceptional
artistry of Maestro Piero Piccioni.